The Meaning of Rendering Aid After an Accident

How to Render Aid After an Accident

The first thing that you need to do after a car wreck is stop and provide assistance to other parties involved in the accident. Generally speaking, rendering aid involves calling the police and asking if everyone is OK. If anyone does need assistance, you should relay that to emergency personnel, and they can help that person first after arriving on the scene.

You Could Be Held Liable for a Person’s Injuries

If you removed an accident victim from his or her vehicle, it could result in head or neck injuries. It could also lead to a person’s death in certain situations. While you may not be criminally liable for your actions, the victim or the victim’s family may file a civil suit claiming that your actions were negligent or reckless.

In such a scenario, a jury may find that you were responsible for an individual’s pain and suffering. The only time that you might not be considered to be reckless or negligent in providing assistance is if you had first aid or other relevant training. Las Vegas injury lawyers may be able to provide more information about the legal ramifications of helping at an accident scene.

You Could Put Yourself in a Dangerous Situation

It is possible that rendering aid could put yourself in harm’s way. For instance, you can’t tell if a car is leaking gas that could become flammable without warning. If the roads are covered with snow and ice, another vehicle could slide out of its lane or off of the road. That could result in the vehicle striking you or the vehicle that the person who you are trying to help is in.

Focus On Your Own Safety

After an accident, be sure to focus on your safety and that of others in your vehicle. As long as you stop and call police, you have done your duty to help after an accident takes place.